wow

So much going on in this picture – from the flashlight headband, to the cartoon underwear, to the giant bruise on his leg. Just had to share.

Inner tubing

Sarah and I took the kids plus her exchange student, Deanna, to Snoqualmie to go inner tubing for the day. Kenzie and the older boys were independent most of the time. I saw her off the cliff once, and the rest of the time she was gone with the boys. Mason needed a little assistance getting back up the hill so he stuck close.

When we were done we swung by the falls for another photo opp. We later realized we should have gotten a taller passer-by to take our picture as you can’t actually see any of the falls behind us. You can, however, see that it was misty and our hair was a mess…clearly because of the falls.

Christmas Day

The Bolam family Christmas was in mid-December. The Averill family Christmas was the day after Christmas. So, this has been a long season. Christmas Day itself was mellow. We had our traditional Eggs Benedict breakfast with Grammy and Grampy. Kenzie, of course, puked because it’s too rich for her. Then we opened presents until we couldn’t do it anymore.

Cozy

Watching Frosty the Snowman.

Favorite gift

Was it the Wii game? Or the promise of a trip to Maui in May? Nope…the first bra.

She offered to let me take a picture for the blog if I let her spend the night at Grammy and Grampy’s, so here goes.

Grammy and Grampy versus Mario

Kids got new Wii games for Christmas. Grammy and Grampy both played, not sure either enjoyed it much, until Grammy started beating Grampy.

Dear Santa

Every year I think “this is the last year that MacKenzie will give up on the idea of Santa,” yet I am always surprised. I think this year she spent less time questioning it than last. I think she really wants to believe and so she isn’t pushing the issue too much. She plays it up every chance she gets, making sure that Mason is totally shut down if he starts to question. Here is the note that they co-authored on Christmas Eve. I especially like the “and my cat has been very good” part.

Kenzie explains what she saw on Christmas morning. Drama added for effect. They were a little hyped up for Christmas! (Thanks Mason for calling me out for not filling Cindy’s stocking.)

Crank caroling

I think we started a new tradition this year. We went to Liz and Casey’s for Christmas Eve dinner and then gathered around the piano and “crank caroled” to everyone who was on our speed dial. Our signature song was Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer, but we mixed it up a bit here and there.

Christmas pageant

Cindy was the author and director of the 2010 Christmas pageant at our church. She worked hard at it and it was very cute. Here is the last clip (MacKenzie is the cheerleader in the chair and Mason is the karate kid. The premise was that they were all toys under the Christmas tree that came to life to read the revised “Twas the Night before Christmas” poem.)

Mason grooves

Mason got really mad at me today when we were looking back at old pictures and he himself, at 2 years old, dressed in his sister’s ballerina costume. Maybe some day he won’t love this video either.

Ugly Christmas Sweater family

The faux hawk

 

Lauren gave Mason a new look.

growing

I took Mason in to work with me today after church. He was so tired he wedged himself behind my desk. It was a tight squeeze. When he woke up he said, “Mom, I grew during my nap and now I can’t get out.”